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"Man In A Box" Campaign Raises Awareness About Homelessness

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- For the past two years, a man has been willingly living in a box to raise money and awareness of the homeless. But this year's volunteer actually caught quite a break.

The Salvation Army rings in the annual "Man in a Box" campaign ever winter, though in this weather, we might call him a news guy in a sauna

"I could probably be in shorts today," said James Garrity, a part-time reporter at KDKA Radio 1020. "When they called me into the office and told me I would be in a box for two days, I asked them, 'Is this a punishment?'"

But now he's honored to play the role of a homeless person, if only briefly, to raise funds for the Salvation Army.

"Six o'clock this morning he started, till 6 o'clock tonight," said Salvation Army Major Deb Sadler. "And then he's going to do it again from 6 o'clock tomorrow morning until 6 o'clock tomorrow evening."

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Point Park University senior Brittany Lauffer said it's hard to miss a man in a box.

"You're walking past, and you can't help but look and wonder what's going on, and I came up to you guys and asked what's going on in here? I want to know, and I want to help," she said.

Garrity is in constant contact with radio stations, as the money pours in.

He and the Salvation Army have a lofty goal: $25,000.

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